"
"And what did you do to drive it away?"
"I didn't drive it away. I knew, whatever the creature was,
the well was to get water out of. So I took the jug, dipped it
in, and drew the water."
"And what did the creature do?"
"Flew about."
"And it didn't hurt you?"
"No. Why should it? I wasn't doing anything wrong."
"What did your companions say then?"
"They said -- 'Thank you, Diamond. What a dear silly you
are!' "
"And weren't you angry with them?"
"No! Why should I? I should like if they would play with me
a little; but they always like better to go away together when
their work is over. They never heed me. I don't mind it much,
though. The other creatures are friendly. They don't run away
from me. Only they're all so busy with their own work, they
don't mind me much."
"Do you feel lonely, then?"
"Oh, no! When nobody minds me, I get into my nest, and look
up. And then the sky does mind me, and thinks about me."
"Where is your nest?"
He rose, saying, "I will show you," and led me to the other
side of the tree.
There hung a little rope-ladder from one of the lower
boughs. The boy climbed up the ladder and got upon the bough.
Then he climbed farther into the leafy branches, and went out of
sight.
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